Numbers 22:12

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

And God said unto Balaam, Thou shalt not go with them; thou shalt not curse the people: for they [are] blessed.

Complete Jewish Bible:

God answered Bil'am, "You are not to go with them; you are not to curse the people, because they are blessed."

Berean Standard Bible:

But God said to Balaam, “Do not go with them. You are not to curse this people, for they are blessed.”

American Standard Version:

And God said unto Balaam, Thou shalt not go with them; thou shalt not curse the people; for they are blessed.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And God^{H430} said^{H559} unto Balaam^{H1109}, Thou shalt not go^{H3212} with them; thou shalt not curse^{H779} the people^{H5971}: for they are blessed^{H1288}.

Cross-References (KJV):

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Commentary for Numbers 22:12

**Themes:**
- **Divine Sovereignty and Guidance:** God's authority is emphasized as He directly instructs Balaam not to go with the messengers of Balak nor to curse the Israelites.
- **Blessing and Protection of Israel:** Despite Balaam's reputation as a diviner, God declares that the Israelites are blessed and cannot be cursed, showcasing His protection over His chosen people.
- **Obedience vs. Personal Gain:** The verse sets up a tension between Balaam's potential desire for reward and the necessity to obey God's command.

**Historical Context:**
- **The Israelites' Journey:** The event occurs during the Israelites' exodus from Egypt to the Promised Land. They are camped on the plains of Moab after having conquered various nations east of the Jordan River.
- **Balak's Fear:** King Balak of Moab, fearing the growing power and number of the Israelites, seeks to hire Balaam, a non-Israelite prophet, to curse them in hopes of weakening or defeating them.
- **Balaam's Reputation:** Balaam was known as someone who could bless or curse with effectiveness, suggesting a recognized prophetic ability, though his moral character is questionable as the narrative unfolds.
- **God's Intervention:** The verse reflects a pivotal moment where God intervenes in the affairs of nations, demonstrating His power over other gods and spiritual forces that figures like Balaam might have claimed to manipulate.

In summary, Numbers 22:12 underscores God's sovereign protection of Israel and the importance of obedience to His will, even when it conflicts with personal advantage, within the broader historical context of Israel's journey to Canaan and their interactions with neighboring kingdoms.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H430
   There are 2334 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אֱלֹהִים
   Transliteration: ʼĕlôhîym
   Pronunciation: el-o-heem'
   Description: plural of אֱלוֹהַּ; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme God; occasionally applied by way of deference to magistrates; and sometimes as a superlative; angels, [idiom] exceeding, God (gods) (-dess, -ly), [idiom] (very) great, judges, [idiom] mighty.
   
2. Strong's Number: H559
   There are 4434 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אָמַר
   Transliteration: ʼâmar
   Pronunciation: aw-mar'
   Description: a primitive root; to say (used with great latitude); answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet.
   
3. Strong's Number: H1109
   There are 57 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: בִּלְעָם
   Transliteration: Bilʻâm
   Pronunciation: bil-awm'
   Description: probably from בַּל and עַם; not (of the) people, i.e. foreigner; Bilam, a Mesopotamian prophet; also a place in Palestine; Balaam, Bileam.
   
4. Strong's Number: H3212
   There are 938 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יָלַךְ
   Transliteration: yâlak
   Pronunciation: yaw-lak'
   Description: a primitive root (compare הָלַךְ); to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses); [idiom] again, away, bear, bring, carry (away), come (away), depart, flow, [phrase] follow(-ing), get (away, hence, him), (cause to, made) go (away, -ing, -ne, one's way, out), grow, lead (forth), let down, march, prosper, [phrase] pursue, cause to run, spread, take away (-journey), vanish, (cause to) walk(-ing), wax, [idiom] be weak.
   
5. Strong's Number: H779
   There are 177 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אָרַר
   Transliteration: ʼârar
   Pronunciation: aw-rar'
   Description: a primitive root; to execrate; [idiom] bitterly curse.
   
6. Strong's Number: H5971
   There are 1654 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: עַם
   Transliteration: ʻam
   Pronunciation: am
   Description: from עָמַם; a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock; folk, men, nation, people.
   
7. Strong's Number: H1288
   There are 289 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: בָרַךְ
   Transliteration: bârak
   Pronunciation: baw-rak'
   Description: a primitive root; to kneel; by implication to bless God (as an act of adoration), and (vice-versa) man (as a benefit); also (by euphemism) to curse (God or the king, as treason); [idiom] abundantly, [idiom] altogether, [idiom] at all, blaspheme, bless, congratulate, curse, [idiom] greatly, [idiom] indeed, kneel (down), praise, salute, [idiom] still, thank.